Tuesday, December 24th, 2019

Hermosillo, Sonora

72nd operating temple

Dedicated: 27 Feb 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ, Jehovah

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Book of Mormon

Moroni 1-5

New Testament

Revelation 14-15; Redheaded Hostess and New Testament Student Manual

Oct 2019 General Conference

"The Second Great Commandment"

President Russell M. Nelson

"It would be impossible to calculate the amount of service that Latter-day Saints render around the globe every day of every year; but it is possible to calculate the good the Church as an organization does to bless men and women - boys and girls - who are in need of a helping hand.

The Church's humanitarian outreach was launched in 1984. Then a Churchwide fast was held to raise funds to assist those afflicted by a devastating drought in eastern Africa. Church members donated $6.4 million on that single day."

 I went shopping in the rain this morning. I returned two tops that I bought yesterday at T.J. Maxx. One should not by things for oneself at Christmas time. All money is to be spent for the enjoyment and pleasure of others. I have decided to give blankets to Harold, Vickie, Dennis, and Denise. I need a couple of more and T.J. had none that I liked. I went to Ross and meh. I struck it rich at Marshall's. I'm a happy camper. Plaid is in. The blankets I showed yesterday were actually bought at Marshall's. I drove home with a smile on my face.

Sheri, and her boys including Michael and Joe hiked "A" mountain as they normally do on Christmas Eve. Afterwards they went to lunch at a pizza joint.

Darrel, Trina and their kids usually go with them but this year they waited until afternoon when the rain stopped. Afterwards they went to Firehouse Subs for lunch. 

I wrapped blankets this afternoon. I even had enough, I think I bought 40 in all, to give blankets to Rebecca and Brent. When I was finished wrapping we loaded all of the packages in the car and began making deliveries. 

Our first stop was at the Ross near Darrel and Trina's as I am still checking out the blanket scene. I saw a pink banded watch I really liked but no blankets. We also went to Deseret Book where James bought me a new Sunday journal and the first volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. There are going to be 30 volumes before they are all done but at least I have a start. 

We dropped off 3 blankets at Kim and Brian's. We made Kim and Brian open theirs while we were there. Joe will open his when he comes over tomorrow morning.  Kim absolutely loved hers and Brian was very gracious about his. They said they wanted to give us our present, so we said, of course, that would be great! Lo and Behold, it's a new TV. Oh my goodness. I happened to mention one time when I was here watching a Hallmark movie what a great picture their TV has. Brian picked up on that and bought us a TV just like theirs. He said he already measured the opening at our house and knows it will fit. Wow! Such a thoughtful, sweet and totally unexpected thing to do. I hope he doesn't think I was hinting when I commented about the picture on their TV.

Next stop, Paul and Stacy's. Paul, Stacy and Joshua opened their blankets. Michael was asleep upstairs and the other boys weren't there. Stacy loved her pink heart blanket and Paul liked his black plaid full sized blanket. Joshua seemed to love his tiger one.  

Michael actually texted me later and told me he loved the yellow blanket we gave him. He said, "Gramma, yellow is my favorite color! 

At Sheri's Max, Evan and Sheri opened their blankets. Evan liked his polar bears, Max his orange, gray, white striped, and Sheri was gracious about her peach tie-dyed blanket. We left Alex and Ian's blankets for them to open later. 

We stopped at Dave and Laura's and saw them along with Jon and Lexy. Jon's son Logan is visiting Kevin's son Bremen. Kevin was here a couple of weeks ago and bought Bremen a car. I can't believe Bremen is old enough to drive. Jamie, Jon's wife was asleep in the other room and I told Jon not to wake her. We gave Dave and Laura their First Vision calendar but didn't ask them to open it.

On to Cathi and Terry's. They were having their annual Christmas Eve family dinner with their kids and grandkids and invited us to eat with them but we declined. We visited with Cathi, Terry, and Cathi's daughter Wendy a few minutes, gave them their calendar and were on our way. 

Our last stop was at James's mom and Dawn's. Of course the first thing they wanted to do was feed us. We had goodies galore including Carmen's wonderful caramels with pecans. We also tried out a foot massager that Dawn bought for her mom at Costco. It felt so good on my feet! James insists he is going to buy me one. Dawn says she will go back to Costco and if they have one she will pick it up for us.

They opened their blankets and Amazon gift cards and thanked us. No one can ever outdo Lois in the gift giving department. We saved our load of gifts to open  tomorrow at Darrel and Trina's.

After saying our goodbye's we headed back to Darrel and Trina's in east Mesa. Here is how the evening went:

Darrel, Trina and kids read Luke 2 together. Each of the kids look for their pajama packages which are hidden somewhere in the house. They open their pajamas, put them on, and then open their blankets from us and wrap up in them. That cotton candy pink blanket of Addy's is still my favorite. Lola loved her unicorn blanket. I guess the unicorns name is Jojo and she loves him/her.

Next they left gingerbread cookies decorated by the kids out for Santa, and some carrots for the reindeer. The kids go to bed, Santa comes, and all is well.

Carol Ray-Decker grandkids

Darrel and Trina this year

 Hayden and Cheryl Lambson Family

As we look for the tender mercies of the Lord in our lives,

we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

 Kevin, Wendy, Teresa, Charlotte, Jon, Sandy, Pat

I can't wait!

 Frozen pajamas Elsa or Anna?

New PJ's

 Cardinal's blanket

 Cotton candy pink, kitty, and Jojo blankets

Leopard and white for Darrel and Trina

This blanket makes lying on the floor feel comfy

 Ruby showed us her newly decorated room. She loves
her swing.

 Goodies for Santa and veggies for reindeer

Scarlett

Such sweet boys because of a sweet mom

Cousin Christina's kids

We love our friends in Chandler, the Lueck's

We remember the kids when they were young and little

If you heard about the elder in British Columbia who was
killed in an accident you will remember Dallin. He was
this elder's companion and has suffered with head injuries
since the accident. He was sent home to recover.

With this post I end today.  A recovering missionary who has
experienced the tender mercies of the Lord in his life.